The Punisher #7 Review

Detective Clemons and Bolt share an awkward drive.

Leave it to Greg Rucka to make an issue comprised almost entirely of a conversation in a car interesting. The Punisher #7 moves the focus away from Frank Castle and his potential new sidekick, Rachel Cole-Alves, to focus on Detective Clemons and Bolt as they drive up the scene of the Punisher's latest massacre. Issue #7 might be light on action, but it does prove to be an engaging reading experience nonetheless. Rucka has done a marvelous job creating an extended cast for this new Punisher book, and this issue is proof that they can carry the show without the series' titular character.

Issue #7 of The Punisher gives us a little more to chew on in regards to Detective Clemons. He's a complicated man, no doubt, but his reasons for being anti-Punisher make complete sense within the context of his career. There are two sides to every story and Rucka makes sure every character in this book is more than just a black or white cliche, which is refreshing to say the least.

Stepping aboard for this issue of The Punisher is artist Michael Lark, who seems fitting considering this issue features a brief cameo from Daredevil (Michael drew the Daredevil series for years alongside writer Ed Brubaker). Lark's sensibilities as an artist fit well with the darker scripts Rucka is turning in; he's always been a perfect match for crime comics, and he further proves that point with his work on The Punisher. And when Lark does open up the panels for a splash image, he wows with intricate detail and energy.

I've been loving this new Punisher series since its very first issue. After seven issues, my mindset hasn't changed in the slightest. Alongside Daredevil, Punisher -- in my opinion -- is one of the best Marvel books on shelves. You owe it to yourself to read it for some great character work that's more than just superheros beating the living snot out of each other.